3 ms·

Conceptually an underground house is like a bungalow version of a house that has a large basement (and a earth roof). In the UK I know basements (that have a h

Conceptually an underground house is like a bungalow version of a house that has a large basement (and a earth roof). In the UK I know basements (that have a house above them, not earth) to be near universally damp and miserable places. In London the rich and famous are known to go down when it comes to house extensions, with ever larger basements. Sure the climate is different, and building tech has advanced, but I wonder if the posh homes with vast basements harbour problems. Particularly when adding features such as pools, deluxe bathrooms and gyms. Every generation comes along to think they will not make the mistakes of their forefathers. It seems to be a game you can't win at. Lead works good under ground when it comes to keeping stuff out for centuries, so maybe you need to spend serious money on making a lead lined tomb and then lining that so there is no danger of getting lead poisoned.

KaiserPro 6y ago
Its perfectly possible to make dry basements. In the same way its perfectly possible to make dry houses (we are used to damp proofing in houses, less so in basements) Put it this way, we've managed to make swimming pools that don't leak, underground houses are basically swimming pools with roofs. Firstly you need to choose your ground and prepare it properly. You then need to choose your materials. With basements you can either put the tanking on the outside, in the material or or on the inside. Each has its own merits. Then you need to think about insulation and ventilation. You will be at a different temperature to the outside world for most of the year. You therefore need to think about how you manage humidity.
- Theodores 6y ago
  You are proving my point. Everyone knows best and thinks that they won't make the mistakes of the past when it comes to making bone dry basements that will work in perpetuity. The people in the article did not set out to make their home even more damp and the original builders did not set out to make it damp. They thought they knew what they were doing. With British town houses that have basements the original ground dug out for the foundations went into the road which is built up by a storey. The basement faces out into the garden, the sides join with neighbouring houses in the terrace. The front has a gap to the road that has a containing wall. Coal and stuff could be delivered to the basement area with a hatch in the road in some areas. Despite this sophisticated no-digging approach to a basement and dry walls on all sides there is still a damp problem that has to be managed. You can't just hold back water in earth with concrete, plastic or anything else 'waterproof' as it will rot away or prove to get damp in time. Even with clay that prevents oxygen getting to steel, steel will rust away too. We wouldn't have these problems if we had stayed in the trees.

KaiserPro 6y ago

Its perfectly possible to make dry basements. In the same way its perfectly possible to make dry houses (we are used to damp proofing in houses, less so in basements) Put it this way, we've managed to make swimming pools that don't leak, underground houses are basically swimming pools with roofs. Firstly you need to choose your ground and prepare it properly. You then need to choose your materials. With basements you can either put the tanking on the outside, in the material or or on the inside. Each has its own merits. Then you need to think about insulation and ventilation. You will be at a different temperature to the outside world for most of the year. You therefore need to think about how you manage humidity.

Theodores 6y ago
You are proving my point. Everyone knows best and thinks that they won't make the mistakes of the past when it comes to making bone dry basements that will work in perpetuity. The people in the article did not set out to make their home even more damp and the original builders did not set out to make it damp. They thought they knew what they were doing. With British town houses that have basements the original ground dug out for the foundations went into the road which is built up by a storey. The basement faces out into the garden, the sides join with neighbouring houses in the terrace. The front has a gap to the road that has a containing wall. Coal and stuff could be delivered to the basement area with a hatch in the road in some areas. Despite this sophisticated no-digging approach to a basement and dry walls on all sides there is still a damp problem that has to be managed. You can't just hold back water in earth with concrete, plastic or anything else 'waterproof' as it will rot away or prove to get damp in time. Even with clay that prevents oxygen getting to steel, steel will rust away too. We wouldn't have these problems if we had stayed in the trees.